Friday, January 18, 2013

PICCOLO SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE OPENS BOOKS GALORE HOLIDAY STORE FOR STUDENTS TO FIND GIFTS

The Book Mavens who organized the Books Galore Holiday Store for middle school students at Piccolo School of Excellence, 1040 N. Keeler Ave., are Joanne Lulla, Shondelle Gillens, Erynn O’Mahen, Brooke Roark, Michaelene Roark, Jen Saltarelli, and Deirdre Campbell of Academy for Urban School Leadership. They collected more than 4,700 books and 1,000 stuffed animals from which students selected gifts for younger brothers & sisters. (Photo by Brad)

Seven ladies with an idea, led by Brooke Roarke, brightened the holidays for middle school students at Piccolo School of Excellence and their younger family members. Instead of providing toys for children, their concept was to make Christmas a learning experience by providing an opportunity for older students to select books to give as Christmas presents to their younger siblings.

The women scoured bookstores, used-book sales, library sales, and they put out appeals to friends and the public for children’s books to be donated. The books had to be appropriate for children up to 6th grade and be in practically new condition. They also accepted monetary contributions that they then used at half-price bookstores and other sales.

Last year, these book hunters obtained and redistributed over 2,000 books at Libby Elementary School. This year at Piccolo, the women raised over $1,000 and obtained more than 4,700 books.

This meant that each Piccolo middle school student was able to select three books they thought their younger family members would like. In addition, each student could also choose a stuffed animal to give a younger brother or sister. All of this was free. There was a gift-wrapping station provided, too, where their presents were wrapped for Christmas giving.

Ms Roark says the point of this project is to provide books to families who probably cannot invest in a family library. It also allows young people to strengthen bonds with younger brothers and sisters by giving them presents they wouldn’t be able to afford to buy on their own. She says it also helps children realize the pleasure that comes from giving to others and making someone else happy, rather than thinking only of themselves. She says it was especially gratifying to see the students concentrating on selecting precisely the right gift book that their younger brother or sister would like.

REPORT FROM ALDERMAN EMMA MITTS

Join Elected Officials, Community Leaders & Concerned Families and Students on Feb 24th at Malcolm X College For at the West Side Educational Summit It’s time to sound the alarm about the state of education in several west side neighborhoods in Chicago. Everyone knows that a high-quality education helps young people successfully transition into adulthood. Today however, in 2018, the unfortunate reality is that many young African-Americans in the city are not always getting the quality educational opportunities they deserve and need to thrive in the future. Far too many children across our communities still face substantial barriers to educational success, including under-resources schools as well as other family, social and economic challenges. “The school drop-out rates in community areas on the Westside of Chicago are much too high, leading to an uncomfortable and rising percentage of young people have no diploma and an uncertain future. Unemployment, low wages, and other poverty indicators are some contributing factors. As both your Alderman, west-side resident and concerned education advocate, I’ve listened to the community, and we are taking direct action,” said Alderman Mitts. This week, during a press conference at my office, and in response to the educational issues facing our city’s most vulnerable west side youth, many local West Side Black Elected Officials announced that they will join me, Congressman Danny K. Davis and other area business, educational, community and religious leaders on Saturday, February 24, 2018, from 9am – 4pm (Registration start at 8am) at Malcolm X College, 1900 West Jackson, for an education summit. It’s FREE and Open-to-the-Public and complimentary lunch will be served. So, during Black History Month, We’re launching a community summit, a new initiative to discuss a critical issue affecting the youth of Chicago - - The “State of Quality Education on the City’s West Side”! EVERYONE IS INVITED TO JOIN US to this free and open-to-the-public event - - and we especially want to see our parents, students (current and former) and community leaders and residents concerned about education. The purpose of the summit is to develop a realistic, workable plan - - a school educational model designed to provide students and families with access to needed supports, such as healthcare services, educational enhancement and academic enrichment programs, family economic supports, and other services that address common barriers to students’ educational success. I don’t have to tell you - - our West Side communities are facing a variety of issues, problems and challenges related to education.But we cannot, and will not give up or quit!!In other words - - we must understand that’s it’s not enough to simply believe in education EQUALITY. We have to WORK for it, FIGHT for it and develop a PLAN to CREATE it. We must work to help All of our Students get the best opportunities to - - SURVIVE, THRIVE and SUCCEED! That’s the goal of this ‘State of Education on the West Side’ Summit. And we need EVERYONE to be Aware, Engaged and Involved. Today more than ever - - we need YOUR VOICE to help us create Positive Change. In 1926, Dr Carter G. Woodson founded “Negro History Week” right here in Chicago, which fell on the second week of February, to celebrate the lives of President Abraham Lincoln and Black abolitionist Frederick Douglass. In 1976, February officially became Black History Month. This is the perfect month to focus on our issues and future. Chicago was founded in 1781 by Jean-Baptist-Point Du Sable, a Black pioneer and fur trader of Haitian descent. Chicago is also a city with a well-known and celebrated rich black heritage. Chicago’s reputation as a world leader is thanks to the drive, determination and excellence of countless African American leaders, businesspeople, educators, artists and influencers across many fields. And GUESS WHAT? Every Black achiever or leader who’s been crucial in shaping this city’s past, present and future will share one important thing – EDUCATION. Look forward to seeing you at the ‘West Side Education Summit’ at Malcolm X College on February 24th!

Got a question or concern? For more information, contact the 37th Ward Alderman’s Office at 773-379-0960.

PCC WELLNESS CENTER By Alexandra T. Chavez, Development Coordinator

PCC Offers Care Centered Around YouPregnant and struggling with addiction?

With growing heroin use on the west side of Chicago, PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) has started a chemical dependency program that offers combined prenatal care and substance abuse treatment for pregnant women. In this program, the treatment of heroin, alcohol, and prescription drug abuse is offered right in the doctor’s office. PCC’s goal is to meet patients where they are in their recovery and help them to set goals without judgment. PCC can help improve the patients’ health and the health of their babies. Patients in this program receive safe, medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine and counseling. They visit weekly, are given ultrasounds, and deliver their babies at West Suburban Medical Center with a PCC doctor. Services are available at our Chemical Dependency Clinic, located inside PCC Walk-In Wellness Center at West Suburban Medical Center at 1 Erie Court, Suite 1300, Oak Park, IL 60302. Pregnant women and their families in this program may continue to receive primary care, pediatric care, and behavioral health care at a nearby PCC location. PCC accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and many health plans and also offers a sliding fee program for patients without insurance. They do not deny services because of inability to pay.

AS I SEE IT By Representative La Shawn K. Ford

Faith and Hope in Black History Month

When I think about the struggles of Blacks in America, sometimes I can only think about the pain and the struggles that black families have had, and continue to have, in the fight for the most basic rights. How difficult it is not to do the wrong thing when others do you wrong! However, we always seem to be given examples to increase our faith and add to our hope. There is no hope without faith. God knew that sometimes we would find it hard to believe in the mystery of faith, so he gave us many examples of faith to believe in. It is that faith that gives us hope - the hope to believe that no weapon formed against us can prosper. This faith leads to the hope that we can not only love those who love us, but is a faith that leads to the hope that we can love even those who don’t love us. President Nelson Mandela, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and examples in our own lives are reminders of faith that can lead to real hope. After having spent 27 years in prison for trying to end white-minority rule in South Africa through violence, Nelson Mandela became a symbol of peace by an almost unbelievable reconciliation with individuals who had been the instruments of his oppression during his captivity. I often wonder how history would have been written with an angry and vengeful Mandela. Mandela showed what it means to be slow to anger and rich in love. Mandela lived out the Word of the Lord and decided to do what was right after 27 years of oppression and imprisonment. President Nelson Mandela showed four acts of forgiveness that showed all South Africans a peaceful path away from apartheid: 1. Mandela invited one of his former jailers to dinner. 2. Mandela invited his former prison guard to his inauguration ceremony when he became the President of South Africa. 3. Mandela had lunch with the man who tried to have him killed. 4. Mandela wore the Springbok rugby jersey at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. During the apartheid era, few symbols summed up oppression for Mandela and his ANC colleagues than the hated green Springbok jersey. And Mandela understood the power of the symbolism of wearing the jersey, loving his enemies, and becoming a symbol of peace and hope. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is another example of faith leading to hope. Dr. King said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” Dr. King lived out the Word of the Lord and decided to do what is right when he peacefully led marches against dogs, stones and fire hoses. He told his followers to keep moving - no eye for an eye - love your enemies - have your faith lead to hope. King said,“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”. Even if someone disrespected him, King didn’t pick up a gun to retaliate. He knew that adding to the violence wouldn’t get him or the country where hewanted to go. I often wonder what history would say about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. if he hadn’t done what was right. Both Jesus Christ and Dr. King warned us that we will have some difficult days ahead. They both said: fear no man. It is our job to try to let our little light shine everywhere we go. It is our little light that can help drive out darkness in our community, love ourselves, and love each other enough to stop black-on-black violence. Where would South Africa be without the light of Nelson Mandela and where would America be without the light of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? But, we have much work left to do! All of us must intensify our faith and our hope to show that light in our own world -to live out the Word of the Lord and to do what is right. Faith leads to hope - hope without faith is actually hopelessness. We have waited too long for our freedom. We can no longer wait. Now is the time to intensify the radical struggle of love on all fronts. To relax our efforts now would be a mistake which generations to come will not be able to forgive. The sight of freedom looming on the horizon should encourage us to redouble our efforts in faith and hope, through love.

For more information, contact one of Ford’s Constituent Service Offices: 816 S. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park at 708-445-3673, 4800 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago at 773-378-5902 or in the Stratton Office Building in Springfield at 217-782-5962, or visit www.lashawnford.com.

REACHING BEYOND THE WALLS By Reverend Dr. T.C. Thomas, Sr. Pastor

WEIGHT

Many have purposed since the very busy holiday season to lose weight. If we are all honest, we have packed on a few pounds from the insurmountable food we have eaten, sweets we have consumed and partying that we have done over the holiday season. What we as a people usually do is step on the scale which is a sure sign of how much weight we have gained. Additionally, how our clothes fit becomes another indicator of how much weight we have gained. What happens then is we make proclamations that we are going to watch our weight and enter into a diet plan. Like our natural bodies, our spiritual bodies need a weight loss plan to trim the fat. Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” During this new year of 2018, let us all purpose to have a spiritual weight loss plan to become better Christians and to help others be better and not bitter in our lives. My encouragement moment is that each one of my readers would stay rooted and grounded where God can use us for His glory building His kingdom.

Dr. T.C. Thomas is the Pastor of Walls Memorial C.M.E. Church, 200 S. Sacramento Blvd., on Chicago’s west Side. He is a strong advocate for children, education, healthcare and most of all the people of God “being better and not bitter.” Rev. Thomas may be contacted at 773/533/2721.

A Call To Action: By Reverend Charles C. Brown, Ph.D. - Pastor, New Heaven Christian Church

Every King Needs a Royal Court to Help Him Maintain the Kingdom

According to Dr. Ben Martin, the stigma still exists: ““Real men” don’t whine about their physical, mental or emotional problems. They work it out, suck it up or walk it off.” However, at one time or another, every man will need someone to talk to. No matter how self-reliant we feel we are, there will come a point in our life where we will reach the limits of our personal abilities. Although this is an uncomfortable, universal, and unavoidable fact, one of the hardest things to do in life, is to get most men to have an open and honest discussion concerning our internal emotional state or personal issue. Truthfully speaking, most men, feel boxed in, caged, or trapped when forced to have a conversation pertaining to our hidden struggles. For this reason alone, we work hard at trying to dodge or avoid having this type of conversation, and we will do so at all cost. We have spent years rehearsing the classic line, “I’m good,” and most men are able to utilize this timely phrase in a vast array of diverse situations. In fact, most of us prefer to act as though nothing ever bothers us, or we like to make others believe we are invincible to even the most destructive stressors in life. Although some may not agree with my next statement, for the most part, our current condition of total avoidance is not completely our fault. In most cultures, men are conditioned or programed at a young age to view sharing emotions, asking for help, or talking about personal issues as a sign of weakness. We are taught that discussing certain issues are taboo, and that women love the strong silent type. We are taught that a “real man” can make it on his own, or a “real man” does not need any help from anyone. We have also been taught that a “real man” can stand on his own two feet, so we tend to suffer in silence while pretending that everything is fine. In a relationship, men often feel as though we are fully responsible for our mate’s well-being. Even if it is never verbally stated or mutually agreed upon, it is often internally implied within our own mindset. We tend to place the weight of the relationship on our shoulders, and we believe it is up to us to ensure everything stays in good working order. Therefore, when we are quiet we are either thinking about how are we going to solve a problem, or we are feeling frustrated because we cannot find the right solution to the problem. In what seems like a never-ending battle, most men often struggle with an internal enemy that appears solely intended on destroying us from within. Sadly, our unseen adversary tends to be the disheartening decision to admit to others that we need help, or that we do not know what to do about our current situation. Although we know or realize that every king needs a royal court to help him run the kingdom, no man wants to be viewed as being the king who is in distress. Especially by those who are closest to him.

What Does God Have To Do With It? Who’s Running It? By Angie Mims

THE WHITE MAN’S RELIGION AND A BLIND FAITH THAT CAN SEE

What has become more and more astonishing is the growing number of Blacks who fall under every umbrella except the Christian umbrella. More and more Blacks make fun of those who still follow the “White man’s religion.” After all, it was the white man who kept us in chains, dismembered our bodies and kept various limbs for souvenirs after being burned to a crisp; we were raped by these uncivilized wicked barbarians and still held their white babies and our mixed babies to our breasts for nourishment. Ironically, they were doing it all in the name of the Lord, much like those who kill in the name of Allah. From 1882-1968, there were 4,743 recorded lynchings. Nina Simone so melodically sung it like no other, “Strange Fruit.” And after all that we went through, the years and years of unrelenting oppression, the physical and mental incarceration of our minds, you would think we would readily go back to our real roots instead of wearing the title of a “Christian.” Especially, when you have today’s Black leaders like Dr. Umar Johnson, Dr. Boyce Watkins, Ashra Kwesi and countless others who traveled the world putting this puzzle together piece by piece. It is as if they work tirelessly, day in and day out, masterfully putting together seeming facts that make some sort of sense to our minds without any interference of holy ghost dance music in the background. It wasn’t until I got the opportunity to hear Yosef Ben-Jochannan verbally say that Christianity is nothing new. This renowned black scholar, who died in 2015, simply stated that the white man stole these same Christian disciplines from various places in Ethiopia, Africa. Claiming Ethiopia to be his home and birth place, who better to tell the story than Yosef Ben-Jochannan, right? If we’re all honest, at one time or another, we’ve questioned if we’re taking the right road and if following Christ was the right choice. All of the scholars listed above and more have surely made some valid points. Yosef Ben-Jochannan seemed to make so much sense that just like David in the Bible, my feet had almost slipped. The men I listed are so intelligent and so passionate. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, whom I yearn to meet, never ceases to amaze me with his unyielding love for Black people. I certainly enjoy listening to him speak and in some cases, apply what he teaches. And yet, out of all these men, these great men of valor, I’ve got two rhetorical questions, “If Christianity is nothing new and it all began in Africa, then doesn’t it make sense to follow God’s Word anyhow? Why continue to call it the white man’s religion?” God has already said that he’s laid up the wealth of the sinner for the just and guess what? According to the linguistic gangers, George and Charles Merriam and Noah Webster, wealth isn’t just tangible money. It also means possessions. If in fact, ill-mannered white men and women stole our possessions and our disciplines, don’t you think if God meant for it to truly be hidden from us, we wouldn’t have the Bible today? So, what does God have to do with it? Everything. As a lover of knowledge, I’ve learned that the enemy enjoys keeping us confused. Some of us are nothing more than educated fools. We are hell bent on discovering new ways and we become rogues without a reason and rebels without a cause. Even if Black Christians are following the “White man’s religion,” at the end of the day, God’s Word doesn’t lie. Additionally, if Yosef Ben-Jochanan declared that Christianity was already in existence before 341A.D. and if King James happened to be a gay man who pulled a couple of political stunts over William Tyndale’s head and yet, God’s Word still persevered through all of the corruption, what would make you not believe that God is real and His Word is alive? After all, prophecies were fulfilled back then and they are STILL being fulfilled to this day. As we drown our heads in new ideologies that subtly pull us into polytheistic ways, let us always remember that there is only ONE God and no one can get to Him except through Christ Jesus. It’s a bumpy ride but hold on to your faith anyhow. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15

Angie Mims is a radio personality for the Promoting Precision Radio Show. She has interviewed many greats on her show such as NBC 5’s Art Norman, CLTV News Dr. Garrard McClendon, Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, Ebony Magazine’s Senior Editor, Lynn Norment, the former president of Nigeria, General Olesugun Obasanjo, NBA players and many others. Visit her online at www.promotingprecision.com. Angie loves to meet new people and is in a constant attempt to unite people from all over the world. If you have a great story, don’t hesitate! Email her at AngieMims@PromotingPrecision.com today! You may also call (708)-612-4864. Support The Austin Voice Newspaper and let them know your thoughts about her column.

JESUS FREEWAY EXPRESS

BE AWARE OF THE DECEIVING SPIRITS – CAUTIONED BY THE LIVING GOD! This is a recent spiritual message given by the Living God for His children – all His special creations. The enemy of man (Lucifer) noted the devil actively calling evil good and dispatching his demons to continue luring children of God to sin against God in order to capture and take them to hell and inflict pain and torture – regrets forever. Tis time to pray fervently to God in faith and in Jesus name thereby enlarge and increase entrance to Holy, Happy Heaven after life on earth. Tis time to shrink hell. Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked – know for certain we are living in End times. There are many writings on the wall. Recent incidents and atrocities are part of the prophecies foretold by the Word (the Bible); Believe it or not. Judgment Day is coming. Rapture is near. No one can serve 2 masters. You will either love one and despise the other. Allow the light to shine bright in your life. The light is Jesus that came to lighten our darkened world. Don’t continue to walk in the dark and stumble. Choose light, chose eternal life after in heaven, where golden mansions stand among the diamond roads – joy forever. Refuse to be bought into hell forever by the monster, Satan. Seek the Lord while he may be found - call upon him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6). Remember All that glitters are not gold. Sodom and Gomorrah soon realized. Day of Noah flood can never be forgotten. Tis time to acknowledge our sins before God. Repent and change to be forgiven by God before it is too late for only the righteous shall see God. “Where do you plan to spend Eternity?” Choose today, choose fast, for time is fast running out”. Pray, Pray and Pray in faith and in Jesus name and see the walls of Jericho in your life come tumbling down – crashing, Stay in marriage my dear brethren where marriages are settled in heaven. Refuse to commit adultery. Don’t allow the devil (Satan) to destroy your marriage and ready to take you to hell due to this forbidden sin by the Holy Living God.Solutions: 1. Married couple pray often together in faith to God for Divine Help. 2. Have an outing (Date) together, to Christian movies together and eat out in good restaurant (once a month.) 3. Pray together for God’s divine help about your finances and refuse and reject arguments that can block answers to prayers inviting evil angels instead of the Holy angels sent by God to give you God’s blessings. Also, these good angels sent by God are fighting off the demons in Jesus name. Note: UNITY IS STRENGTH.

Singles (Unmarried) Refrain from fornication. All must stop all sexual immoralities . They are sins seriously forbidden by God. Watch and pray therefore that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41. For prayer support call me at (630) 965-0256. Jesus loves you and so do I. Apostle/Prophet Emanuel Dada. We are still seeking volunteers and donations for the Annual All Christians Parade for Jesus/Revival to be held on August 25, 2018. Other informations to follow later. God bless.

MONEY RUN By Kevin Pearson

Plan to Plan

Have you ever wondered why do I need a business plan? One may say to ones self “ I know what I want to sale. Can I just open my doors and start making money.” This is a thought that has crossed many entrepreneur minds, but having or not having a business plan can be the beginning or the end of ones business. In early 2001, you all may know I published a hip-hop magazine that circulated in Chicago and two other major cities. The idea to start the magazine came over night. I can remember sitting on the floor in my brother’s room flipping through some old magazines. I looked him right in the eye and said, “ I want to start a hip-hop magazine.” Neither of us had writing experience and definitely no publishing experience, yet he was all in. Our entire business plan was fluttering in our imaginations. Finally in 2003, after hundreds of hit or miss (only by the grace of God) we put out a full color glossy magazine. The hip-hop community loved the publication. We were on the media list of major music labels; we got passes to just about every hip-hop event. So what was wrong with that you ask? NO MONEY. We had zero revenue coming in, and no strategy in place to get any. We were the new guys on the block, and no ad agency would touch us. Also, big hip-hop publications where adding online versions of them selves, called e-zines, yet we still owed the printer. We hung on for a few years but closed shop in 2006. In the end, we had a great product and tenacity, but no plan to execute anything. Today I plan everything, ever phone call, email, I even wrote a plan to write this column. “Remember no business has ever been totally successful with out a plan in place to make it successful.” Want to increase your customers and profit, but don’t know where to start? Let us help, contact the Voice Newspapers at Ph: 773-889-0880 or email: austinvoiceads@gmail.com

CANCER SOCIETY WARNS WOMEN OF THREAT FROM RADON EXPOSURE

A new report finds a statistically significant positive association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic (blood) cancer in women. This study is the first prospective population-based study of residential radon exposure and hematologic cancer risk, leading the authors to caution that it requires replication and whether it truly differs by sex. Radon is a naturally-occurring byproduct of the decay of radium and is a known human lung carcinogen, the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Modeling studies show that radon delivers a non-negligible dose of alpha radiation to the bone marrow and therefore could be related to risk of hematologic cancers. More than 171,000 new cases of hematologic cancer and more than 58,000 deaths are expected in the United States in 2016. Hematologic cancers are the most expensive cancers to treat per quality-adjusted life year gained. For the current study, researchers led by Lauren Teras, Ph.D., of the American Cancer Society used data from the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort established in 1992, to examine the association between county-level residential radon exposure and risk of Hematologic cancer. The analysis included 140,652 participants among whom there were 3,019 hematologic cancers during 19 years of follow-up. They found women living in counties with the highest mean radon concentration had a statistically significant 63% higher risk of hematologic cancer compared to those living in counties with the lowest radon levels. They also found evidence of a dose-response relationship. The authors say men may have a higher baseline risk, possibly because of more exposure to occupational or other risk factors for hematologic cancer, reducing the impact of any additional risk from residential radon. In women, who have a smaller baseline risk, residential radon exposure might be a larger contributor to overall risk. Another reason may be that the women of this generation spent more time in their homes, so had more residential exposure than men. According to Dr. Teras, “Radon is already associated with lung cancer and if other studies confirm the link to blood cancers, we think it would warrant strengthened public health efforts to mitigate residential radon risks.”

Workshops/Leadership Conferences for Church Auxiliaries, Sunday Schools, and CE StaffS

CE Director BJ Hillsman of the Grace and Glory Tabernacle Baptist Church is your person. Approaching the new year when church leaders are appointed and/or installed for the new year, you may want to engage her for such. She is gifted in this area and has led and helped a number of churches. Please call or text Markayle Tolliver at 312-697-9141 if you are interested.

ST. MALACHY + PRECIOUS BLOOD REQUESTS HELP FOR MOBILE PANTRY

Father Matthew Eyerman, Pastor of St. Malachy + Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2248 West Washington Boulevard, reminds everyone that his congregation hosts deliveries by the Greater Chicago Food Depository Mobile Pantry on the third Tuesday of each month. Volunteers unload the truck, bag the food, and distribute non-perishables, fruits, and vegetables to West Side residents. This food is available to anyone free of charge and without income verification. Each month, St. Malachy + Precious Blood serves more than 250 households representing well over 750 people, regardless of weather conditions.

In past years, the public has donated a pallet mover, tables, and bins. This year, Father Eyerman is requesting help in obtaining items to keep staff and clients dry and warm:

•$500 will install a retractable canopy

•$100 will purchase a pop-up canopy to keep food and volunteers dry

•$75 provides hand warmers for volunteers

•$50 provides single-use rain ponchos for clients & volunteers

For information about the monthly Mobile Pantry at St. Malachy + Precious Blood or making contributions to the program, call Father Eyerman at 312/733-1068 or 312/919-1610.

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD AND NEAR WEST YOUTH

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 2622 West Jackson Boulevard, is providing assessment, support, and referral services as part of its Community Violence Prevention Program (CVPP) Re-Entry Program for East Garfield and Near West youth and young adults being released from Department of Correction facilities.

Any East Garfield Park and Near West juvenile between the ages of 13-28 currently on parole from any Department of Correction facility, or returning to CVPP communities from Department of Correction facilities are eligible to participate in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church CVPP Re-entry Program. Interested persons should call Denise Harris at 773/826-3295.